Golf game formats, explained.

How do skins, match play and Nassau actually work, and how is the scoring done? Here are guides to golf's game formats, with the rules, the scoring and how to play them off the right handicap.

Classics

Match play

Hole against hole between two players. Lead by more holes than remain and the match is won.

2 players

Skins

Every hole its own pot. Lowest score wins, a tie carries over.

2 to 4 players

Nassau

Three bets in one: front nine, back nine and the full round. With presses when you are behind.

2 to 4 players

Stableford

Points instead of strokes. Birdie is 3, par 2, bogey 1. Most points wins.

2 to 4 players

Quota

Your own points target from your handicap. Beat it by the most and you win.

2 to 4 players

Stroke play

Count every stroke. Lowest total takes the pot. The basic form of golf.

2 to 4 players

Hole by hole

Wolf

The wolf changes every hole and picks a partner, or goes alone for more.

3 to 4 players

Bingo Bango Bongo

Three points per hole: first on the green, closest to the pin, first in the hole.

2 to 4 players

Split Sixes

Three players share six points per hole by position. 4, 2 and 0.

3 players

Club roulette

A drawn club for the whole hole, putting aside. Best score takes the pot.

2 to 4 players

Team

Scramble

The team plays, picks the best position and carries on. One ball, lowest wins.

4 players, 2 teams

Foursome

One ball per team, partners play alternate shots. Odd and even holes.

4 players, 2 teams

Greensome

Both tee off, pick the better drive, then play alternate shots.

4 players, 2 teams

Four-Ball

Everyone plays their own ball. The team score is the better of the partners.

4 players, 2 teams

Vegas

Team scores form a number, lower is the tens. The difference decides, birdies flip it.

4 players, 2 teams

Side bets

Birdie pot

Everyone stakes, most birdies takes the pot. The simplest side bet there is.

2 to 4 players

Snake

A three-putt hands you the snake. Hold it on the last green and you pay the pot.

2 to 4 players

Sandie

Par or better after the bunker. The others pay you per sandie.

2 to 4 players

Closest to the pin

Closest to the pin on chosen par 3s takes the pot. One pot per hole.

2 to 4 players

Longest drive

Longest tee shot on the fairway takes the pot. One pot per chosen hole.

2 to 4 players

Golf poker

Earn cards through good play and putting. Best poker hand takes the pot.

2 to 4 players

Not sure what to play? Read which format suits your group, compare Stableford and stroke play, or look the terms up in the golf glossary.